Max Ritz: Hangman

Former Terrapin and LXM Pro Max Ritz gives us the breakdown on hanging up your defenseman and what to do once you have him hung up on the crease.

As told to Ryan Rabidou

Your defenseman getting hung is a unique situation that can trigger instant offense. Though it often happens naturally through transition, here’s how to do it in a settled 6v6 situation.

Step 1: Set Up

The cat-and-mouse game of getting your d-man hung up starts before you even catch the ball. With your teammate dodging down the alley, set up behind the cage at X, forcing your defenseman to play above the goal and make a decision depending on his team's slide package.

If he comes to the ball side around the front pipe, you should push back in the opposite direction toward the far side of the crease while making sure you leave enough room to provide your dodger with an outlet.

If your defenseman comes backside, you can swing up nearside to the ball. If he follows behind the cage, just keep coming topside for a quick finish.

Step 2: Head Up

Once you have your defenseman caught up in front of the cage, center yourself behind the crease with your head and stick up, ready to feed the open man or attack the goal. Consider yourself a free passer, similar to an inbound pass in basketball. Your teammates should be working hard at the top of the box to find the open cutting lanes.

Step 3: Attack

When your defenseman’s hung up, he and the goalie will most likely take the sides of the cage. Attack the goalie side — he's not used to on-ball defense and the goal is open.

A popular way to attack the cage is running at a flat angle. Players have traditionally run through a check on a straight line. The advantage of the flat angle is the defenseman and goalie can’t use the crease as a shortcut; it buys you more time and space to get a shot off.